Anti-Maoist action hit by lack of infrastructure in Orissa

Admitting that fighting red rebels in 17 of the 30 districts in Orissa has become tough due to lack of infrastructure, the state police today unveiled a special action plan to combat the menace in areas severely hit by the Maoists.

Admitting that fighting red rebels in 17 of the 30 districts in Orissa has become tough due to lack of infrastructure, the state police on Friday unveiled a special action plan to combat the menace in areas severely hit by the Maoists.

"We are facing difficulties in training securitymen to fight Maoists in jungles and difficult terrains of Malkangiri and other places," state DGP Manmohan Praharaj told reporters.

The draft of the special plan was sent to the Centre for approval which could help the state police to face the ultras in an effective manner. "Besides constructing helipads and other facilities, the police are planning to set up security hubs and mobile camps in the region," he said.

He rejected suggestions that Maoists rule over entire Malkangiri, but admitted that "a small part of Malkangiri" close to Andhra Pradesh and Chhattishgarh borders in high altitude remains difficult for the security personnel.

Of the 17 Maoist-infested districts, Malkangiri and Rayagada would be covered under the special plan, fund for which would be provided by the Centre.

For tackling spurt in violence in Malkangiri, the DGP said one battalion (nearly 1,000 personnel) of Central force, deployed in northern part of the state, would be mobilised to southern region mostly in undivided Koraput district.

On long term solution to the vexed Maoist problem, Praharaj said besides recruiting about 400 local tribal youths, the state government was also considering special steps to improve socio-economic condition of local residents.

To a question on the secret behind neighbouring Andhra Pradesh's success in tackling the menace, the DGP said, "Once the capacity building is complete in Orissa, things will be easy for the security personnel to contain violence in Malkangiri and other places."

While Maoists killed at least 60 security personnel last year, the police could eliminate only 11 ultras, he said, adding that the fight against Maoists was different from fighting enemies on the border.

On killing of people on suspicion of being police informers, the DGP said, "No police informer is killed. They kill innocent people and name the victim as police informer. We have no informer from among the public."

Praharaj also claimed that Orissa police have always respected human rights even while dealing with Maoists. "There is no serious human rights violation case against Orissa police even as it faced ultras and criminals," he added.